Safety equipment for automobiles



May 12, 1-925.- 1,537,873

\ R. E. PARMENTER SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed. Dec- 27, 1921 INVENTOR l7 z! 5 7M i] 17 Z @w m/M ATTORNEYS Patented May 12, 1925.

UNITED STATES RAY E. PARMENTER, OF LONGMEADOW, MASSACHUSETTS.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed December 27, 1921.

To ([ZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, RAY E. PARME-NTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Longmeadow, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Safety Equipments for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to the safety equipment of automobiles and the like, and, more particularly, to an apparatus combining certain signalling devices and illuminating equipment which are necessary for the protection of the driver of an automobile against accidents from trailing and oncoming cars. The invention is capable of other uses although it is especially designed for the purpose mentioned.

One object of the invention is to provide a generally improved indicator, under the control of the operator and capable of being setin any position to indicate any direction in which the driver plans to steer the car.

Another ob ect of the invention is to provide, in connection with the direction indicator, a danger signal, visible from the rear of the car and automatically operated by movement of the direction indicator from normal position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an outboard clearance light, automatically illuminated by a. similar movement of the direction indicator and visible from in front of the car.

Another object of the invention is to provide another clearance light, operated in a similar manner and effective to throw a beam of light against the edges of the run ning board, fender, and the roadway adjacent thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spot-light, so located asto direct a beam of light diagonally across the hood of the car upon the edge of the road, such light 7 being brought into play by the setting of the signal to indicate the turn and enabling the driver to avoid pedestrians and obstructions on the road at a time when they are otherwise particularly diflicult to locate.

Other objects relate to constructional details and arrangements of parts.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following description and in the illustrative embodiment of the invention in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a rear elevational view, with Serial No. 525,026.

parts in section, of a signalling appliance embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the circuit controlling plate;

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional plan views taken on the lines 33 and 1-4, respectively, of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the lower portion of the signalling appliance;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view illustrative of the interior construction of the lower nalling appliance; and

Fig. 8 is a small scale plan view of the appliance mounted on an automobile.

Referring to these drawings: the appliance includes a direction indicator, herein exemplified by an arrow 10, which is mounted to rotate about a substantially vertical axis and is movable in either direction throughout a complete circle and may be set not only to indicate forward, rear, rightand left movements, but may be set as well to any of the many intermediate positions. The arrow 10 is rotatably supported in the upper end of a hollow bell-like casing 11. which has an open lower end and a radial extension 12 with provision therein for slidably receiving one end of a supporting arm 13, herein shown as of tubular form. The other end of arm 13 is fixed in a bracket 14, which is provided with ears 15, whereby it may be conveniently attached to an automobile, preferably on or adjacent to the windshield so that the arm 13 extends to the left of the vehicle, overhanging the running.

board and so located as to be visible by the driver. The bracket 14 is recessed, as at 16, to afford a hollow casing open at its lower end. Rotatably mounted in bracket 14 is a shaft 17, one end of which extends into recess 16 and carries a sprocket 18 and the other end of which extends outwardly from the bracket and is adapted to pass rearwardly into the interior of the automobile, where it is provided with a suitable handle 19, whereby it may be conveniently turned by the driver. The sprocket 18 is connected by a chain 20 to a sprocket 21 which moves the arrow 10 and such chain extends through the hollow tubular arm 13' already described.

The arrow 10 is preferably a hollow casportion of the sig-- ing made up of two mating portions 22 (Fig. 8) which are secured together by screws 23 (Fig. 1). The front and rear faces of the arrow are provided with openings 24 which outline a centrally located arrow 25 connected to the remainder of the casing by small bridge-like portions 26. The openings 24 are closed by transparent or translucent material 27, such as celluloid or the like, which is secured to the casing, as by rivets 28. I

The arrow is supported upon, and secured by screws 29 to, a lamp socket 30, in

which is mounted an'electric lamp 31, extending into the interior of the arrow and herein shown as of the single contact variety having a central insulated contact 32, the other terminal being grounded. The socket 30 rests upon the upper face of casing 11 and is secured, as by set screws 33 to the upper end of a sleeve 34 which is rotatably mounted in, and extends downwardly into the hollow interior of, casing 11 and carries at its lower end the sprocket 21 already described. A spring 35 tends to force sprocket 21 downwardly and thus draws socket 30 against casing 11, whereby to frictionally hold the arrow in the various positions to which it may be moved. VVithin sleeve 34 is a bushing 36 of insulating material and this bushing extends beyond the lower end of sleeve 34 to carry a metallic circuit controlling plate 37 suitably secured to its lower face, as by a screw 38. Suitable electrical connection is madebetween the inner end of screw 38 and the lamp contact 32 and in the drawings a standard de vice customarily used for this purpose has been conventionally illustrated. Such device consists of a sleeve 39, which is located in bushing 36 with one end in contact with screw 38 and a spring pressed plunger 40 ,projecting from the other end of the sleeve to engage the contact 32.

By allowing sleeve 39 to slide in bushing 36, the spring therein will cause one end of the sleeve to be firmly pressed against screw 38 and the plunger to be firmly pressed against contact 32, so that a good electrical connection is insured between the parts.

The circuit controlling member 37 1s merely a circular metalllc disc with which -a stationary brush, such as the cylindrical plug 41 shown in Fig. 1, engages. The spring 35, described, also serves to insure a firm engagement between these members. The plug 41 is suitably secured, as by a drive fit, in a bushing 42 of insulating material and the latter is similarly secured in one end of a tube 43 which extends into the bracket 12 and opens into the interior of casing 11 below tube 13. To the inner end of plug 41, a wire 44 is electrically connected and this wire extends through tube 43, as a conduit, thence through bracket 14,

tion to the lighting circuit thereof.

in which the other end of tube 43 is fixed, and then into the automobile for connec- The member 37 is arranged to contact with brush 41 at all except one point in its periphery and, while this particular point may be chosen as desired, it is preferred to have a disengagement between the brush and member 37 when arrow 10 is pointed for straight ahead travel so that it is unilluminated at this time. To this end, member 37 has an upwardly struck portion 45 (Fig. 2) which when located above brush 41 will interrupt the circuit. The member 37 is, however, adjustable about screw 38, when the latter is loosened, so that the interruption of the electrical circuit may be arranged to take place when desired.

It is to be noted that the tubes 13 and 43 slid-ably fit in bracket 12 and are adjustably held therein by suitable means, such as the set screw 46 (Figs. 1 and 5). By loosening this screw the brackets 12 and 14 may be moved toward or away from one another to tension chain 20. Also bracket 12 may be twisted, within limits, relatively to bracket 14. This is useful to cause the axis of arrow 10 to lie vertically even when the ears 15 of bracket 14 are disposed at an angle which sometimes occurs. The apparatus thus far described constitutes a direction indicator and one which is visible by day or night. It may be used separately, as such, and, as thus far described, is a complete unit capable of performing all functions of a direction indicator. There are, however, several desirable adjuncts to a device of this character which are all directed to the same general object of the elimination of accidents. These adjuncts, now to be described, are highly desirable and preferred, but they are not for all purposes indispensable as the invention is capable of being used in the form thus far described.

Secured to the lower end of casing 11, as by screws 47, is asdownwardly extending hollow cylindrical casing 48 which affords a recess in continuation of that in casing 11. Casing 48, intermediate its ends, .is cut away except for two vertical side bars 49 (Fig. 6), leaving substantial openings which are directed forwardly and rearwardly of the automobile. These openings are closed by translucent or transparent members 50 and 51, the former and front member preferably being white and the latter and rear member preferably being red. Near the upper end of casing 48, and partitioning the latter horizontally, is a plate 52 which is secured to the peripheral wall of the casing,.as by lugs 53 which extend through openings therein as best shown in Fig. 1. Plate 52 has downturned marginal flanges 54 which are spaced from the periphery of casing 48 sufficiently to receive the upper ends of the members 50 and 51. The lower ends of the latter are held by an inturned bead 55 on the lower end of casing 48.

The member 52 has a central opening therein to receive the base of an electric lamp 56 and a short marginal flange 57 surrounding this opening which flange is recessed at diametrically spaced points, as indicated at 58, to permit the passage of the usual pins 59 which project radially from the base of lamp 56. The upper face of member 52 is also recessed at diametrically spaced points, as indicated at 60, to receive the pins 59 after the lamp has been turned to bring such pins out of registry with recesses 58, whereby the lamp may be held from turning in its socket and possibly dropping out. A spring61 held by screw 38 against the circuit controlling plate 37 presses against the single central contact 62 of lamp 56 to make electrical connection therewith and also yieldingly hold pins 59 in the recesses 60. The other terminal of lamp 56 is grounded.

The front member 50 has an opening 64 therein which is located substantially atthe level of the source of light of lamp 56 and at an acute angle (diverging to the right) of the line of straight ahead travel of the auto: mobile,such line of travel being defined by the vertical diameter of the casing 48 in Fig. 3.

In practice, the apparatus is attached to the automobile as described near the windshield and overhanging the left handrunning board and so that the vertical axis of arrow 10, if extended downwardly, would lie at or near the edge of such running board. The apparatus is thus clearly visible from both front and rear and also from Y the operators seat.

In operation, the arrow 10 normally is pointed straight ahead parallel with the longitudinal center line of the'car and in this position is unilluminated and the lamp 56 is likewise unilluminated. This is the normal position for straight ahead travel, for which no signals are necessary except to apprise traflic officers, who, being stationed in the center of the street, can readily see the arrow by day. Under these same conditions at night, the operator can swing the arrow through a slight angle for the purpose of illuminating it without indicating a substantial change in direction. This is done as the car approaches a street intersection and at such times it is necessary to slow down and the warning of a decrease in speed is automatically given to the car behind by the illumination of lamp 56, visible as a red light to the operator of the trailing car. A stop signal is given in the same manner, either by day or night. Similarly, when the arrow is turned to indicate right or left turns or any other changes in direction, the danger signal is automatically operated to warn the driver of the car behind.

For safety in driving at night, the apparatus, operating as just described, amply protects the operator from cars behind but something more is required for complete protection. The operator must be protected from accidents with oncoming cars and likewise must use extra care in avoiding pedestrians along the edge of the road. As to the latter, the essential thing is to be able to locate them and this is made increasingly difficult with modern head lamp equipment which seldom illuminates above the waistline of a pedestrian, and, if the latter has dark clothing, prompt location of the pedestrian is diflicult.

To minimize danger from oncoming cars, the lamp 56 is illuminated which, through the front member 50, gives an outboard front white light indicating the edge of the car which has to be cleared. Also, the member 52 is provided in its under face with some good reflecting material and a strong beam of light is thrown downwardly through the open lower end of casing 48 upon the left hand running board and fender and the ground adjacent thereto, thus also showing clearly the parts to be cleared by the oncoming car. For straight ahead travel, the arrow 10 is merely swung slightly out of its normal positio a to cause illumination of lamp 56. This also operates the danger signal and warns the man behind not to attempt to pass. The utility of the clearance lights is especially desirable in making turns and, of course, they are illuminated by the mere act of turning the arrow to indicate the turn intended.

The opening 64 in the front member 50 allows a beam of light to be directed diagonally across the hood of the car, which beam leaves the front end of the car substantially centrally between the headlamps thereof and continues diagonally for a substantial distance to illuminate the edge of the road and particularly pedestrians walking therealong. This beam, starting from a higher level than the headlamps will illuminate the faces of pedestrians, thus enabling the driver to promptly locate and avoid them, as well as any obstructions in the roadway. This beam of light, being directed away from the eyes of the drivers of oncoming cars, cannot offend them by glare. This beam, or spotlight, may be brought into play at any time, in the manner already described, but it is automatically brought into play when most needed,-on turns,by the act of setting the arrow to indicate such turns.

The direction indicator, danger signal, clearance lights and spotlight, therefore all cooperate and contribute to the desired result of protecting the driver from accidents. In addition, there are certain incidental uses of the. apparatus which are very desirable. The spotlight is so aimed that it will illuminate the motometer. Also when the hood is raised it will illuminate the interior thereof, serving effectively as a trouble lamp. The white and red lights, directed front and rear, from lamp 56 serve efficiently as a parking lamp.

The invention has been disclosed herein in an embodiment at present preferred, for illustrative purposes, but the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.

WVhat I claim is:

1. In combination, a hollow easing having means for attaching it to a vehicle, a hollow arm extending outwardly from said casing, a second hollow casing carried by said arm, a shaft rotatably mounted in each of said casings, a sprocket wheel on each shaft within its casing, a rotatable member mounted on the shaft in the second casing and located outside the latter, manually operable means for rotating the'shaft in the first casing, and an endless flexible member extending through said hollow arm,

and connecting-said sprockets, one of said casings being longitudinally adjustable on said arm to tension said endless member.

2. A direction indicator, comprising, two spaced hollow casings each open at its lower end, a hollow arm connecting said casings, a direction indicator rotatabl mounted on one casing and located thereab ove, an operating shaft rotatably mounted in the other casing, sprockets in each casing, one connected to said shaft and the other tosaid indicator, and a fiexibledriving connection between said sprockets and extending through said arm. I

3. In combination, a hollow casing open at one end, supporting means therefor, a shaft mounted in said casing, a rotatable member fixed to said shaft outside said casing and having a part to bear against the outer face of the closed end of said casing, means for moving said shaft including a sprocket on said shaft within said casing, and resilient means acting between the inner face of said closed end and said sprocket to draw said part against said outer face andyieldingly hold said member in the various positions to which it may be moved.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature. 7

RAY E. PARMENTER. 

